A man was shot dead in the lobby of a building on Rue Wiertz, just 100 meters from the entrance to the European Parliament. Four or five men fled the scene. At the same time, a 41-year-old policeman was killed in Jette after a chase. The investigations continue.

(Staff: Belgium / Justice & Crime)

A night of violence in Brussels. A man was shot dead in the lobby of an apartment building on Rue Wiertz (Wiertzstraat), about 100 metres from the main entrance to the European Parliament. According to initial reports, the victim was shot in the chest as he was leaving his home. Four or five men fled the scene immediately, prompting police to launch a large-scale search.

The second deadly incident in the same night

In parallel, another fatal incident took place in the municipality of Jette. A 41-year-old police officer identified as Nordine, a member of the Anti-Robbery Brigade (AOB) of the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police, was shot in the head while officers were stopping a stolen car. The vehicle had been stolen in a carjacking in Tubize, in Walloon Brabant. The officer died shortly afterwards in hospital. One suspect has been arrested, but the investigation is continuing to identify everyone involved.

Background: 54 shootings this year

The two incidents bring the number of shootings in the Brussels-Capital Region to at least 54 since the beginning of 2026, according to figures compiled by radio station BRUZZ. The shootings have left four people dead and 23 injured. Most are linked to conflicts between drug-trafficking gangs.

Official reactions

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed his condolences on social media, saying that “we can never be grateful enough to the men and women in the police services who carry out their duties with the greatest courage and sometimes at the risk of their own lives.”

Police unions reacted strongly. Vincent Houssin, vice-president of VSOA Police, said: “This was a full-blown assassination.” He criticised the political authorities for failing to respond to the escalating violence against police officers.

Conclusion

Brussels has faced a sharp rise in armed violence in recent years. The killing of a man just steps from the headquarters of the European institutions, alongside the death of a police officer on duty, highlights the seriousness of the situation. Investigations are ongoing, and the authorities say those responsible will be held accountable. It remains to be seen whether they can restore order in an increasingly tense city.